Information: Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival 2027

Welcome to the Instructor Portal

Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival • April 30 – May 2, 2027 • Rosemont, IL

Ready to share your creativity, skills, and passion with an audience of enthusiastic makers? This is your home base for everything related to teaching at the 2027 Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois. Instructor classes begin April 29, 2027; the festival runs April 30 – May 2, 2027.

Below you'll find class formats, session tracks, selection criteria, and classroom logistics. Whether you're leading a 30-minute talk or a full-day workshop, everything you need to submit a strong proposal is on this page.

Proposals are due by October 7, 2026. Submissions open August 7, 2026 — no account needed, and your confirmation email includes a personal link to revise your proposal any time before the deadline.

Class Formats

We offer four formats to fit different teaching styles and depths of instruction. Choose the one that matches your session when you apply.

Craft Talk 30 minutes

A presentation, demonstration, panel, or fireside chat designed to inspire and inform the broader festival audience — ideal for thought leaders, trendsetters, industry experts, and makers sharing their creative journey. Hosted on the show floor during festival hours; open to all attendees and not ticketed. Craft Talks are an unpaid speaking opportunity and no travel stipend is provided.

Craft Lab 1 hour

A hands-on class built for focused instruction and guided techniques — perfect for introducing a skill, completing a smaller project, or exploring a creative process.

Studio Session 3 hours

An immersive workshop with time for deeper project work, guided instruction, and developing mid-level techniques.

Workshop 6+ hours (full day)

A premium, full-day learning experience designed for advanced techniques, certification-style instruction, or completion of larger-scale projects.

Skill Levels

Selecting the appropriate skill level helps attendees choose classes that match their experience and ensures a positive learning experience.

First-Time Maker

Designed for students who are completely new to the craft. No prior experience is required. Classes should introduce basic tools, techniques, and concepts in a welcoming environment.

Beginner

Designed for students with limited experience who are developing foundational skills and becoming familiar with basic tools and techniques.

Intermediate

Designed for students who have experience with the craft and are comfortable applying foundational skills to completed projects. Classes may introduce more advanced techniques or combine multiple skills.

Advanced

Designed for experienced makers looking to expand their skills through complex techniques, specialized instruction, or challenging projects.

All Levels

Suitable for a range of experience levels. Instructors should provide guidance that allows beginners to participate while offering opportunities for experienced makers to continue developing their skills.

Session Tracks

Every proposal selects one track. Pick the one that best fits your session's core focus.

Cosplay
Cosplay, costume construction, armor & props, wig styling, and accessories.
DIY & Maker Projects
Upcycling, patchwork, home décor, ceramic painting, Cricut & cutting machines, laser crafting, vinyl projects, and seasonal crafts.
From Hobby to Business
Marketing, branding, social media, selling online, and AI for makers growing a side hustle or launching a venture.
Garment Making
Garment construction, pattern fitting, alterations, fashion and hand sewing, visible mending, embroidery on garments, bag making, serging, and machine techniques.
Mixed Media & Paper Crafts
Mixed media, fabric collage, textile art, fabric painting, embellishment, scrapbooking, journaling, card making, paper crafting, book arts, and paper flowers.
Multilingual & Cultural Sessions
Sessions taught in languages other than English, traditional textile techniques, heritage crafts, and global craft traditions.
Pop Culture & Niche Crafts
Fan art, character-inspired projects, miniatures, gaming crafts, and fantasy & sci-fi creations.
Quilting (Traditional & Modern)
Traditional and modern quilting, foundation paper piecing, English paper piecing, appliqué, longarm quilting, and quilt design.
Yarn & Needle Art
Crochet, amigurumi, knitting, embroidery, sashiko, cross stitch, needlepoint, punch needle, weaving, spinning, macramé, and lace making.
Beading & Jewelry Making
Beading, jewelry making, button making, and decorative buttons.

Selection Criteria

All proposals are reviewed by the Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival team and evaluated on:

Educational value and attendee experience
Originality, creativity, and uniqueness of the concept
Clarity and completeness of the proposal
Quality of supporting images and project examples
Instructor expertise and teaching experience
Audience interest and relevance
Alignment with the festival's educational goals and programming vision

Submitting a proposal does not guarantee acceptance. Duplicate topics are considered on the strength of the proposal and may be refined in partnership with festival staff. Sessions must fit within their scheduled time — time limits are enforced so the event runs smoothly.

Classroom Setup & Equipment

The festival provides equipment based on class requirements, availability, and approval. Equipment may include:

Sewing machines
Longarm quilting machines
Irons and pressing stations
Cutting mats
Tables and chairs
Audio/visual equipment (on request, subject to approval)

Please include all equipment needs in your proposal — availability is confirmed during instructor onboarding. Do not plan to bring personal machines or equipment unless approved by festival management.

Kits & Student Supplies

Every hands-on class must include a clear student supply list. If your list includes a Basic Sewing Kit, we define that as:

Fabric or paper scissors
Fabric marking pen or pencil (for light and dark fabrics)
Hand sewing needles
Straight pins or sewing clips
Seam ripper
Neutral-colored thread
Thimble (optional)
Notebook and pen or pencil
Small bag for personal trash

List any additional supplies or specialty tools separately. If your class requires a kit:

Include a detailed list of kit contents, an image, and pricing with your proposal
Clearly mark whether the kit is required or optional for students
Kit fees are paid directly to instructors — please keep costs appropriate for the class outcome

Compensation, Benefits & Expectations

Selected instructors receive compensation based on session format, registration, and the terms of the Instructor Agreement, which is issued upon selection along with coordination on the session's final list price. Additional benefits may include a complimentary ticket to the 2027 Fiber+Fabric Craft Festival, promotion through festival marketing channels, and a complimentary ticket to h+h americas Chicago 2027.

Selected instructors are expected to sign the Instructor Agreement, meet submission and marketing-material deadlines, teach the approved session as scheduled, provide handouts and supply lists where required, foster a professional and inclusive learning environment, and communicate updates to the festival team in a timely manner. All proposal photos must come with reproduction rights for festival promotion. We also encourage instructors to plan follow-up time outside class hours so students can ask questions and connect.

Disclaimer

The festival reserves the right to adjust session titles, descriptions, capacities, scheduling, and pricing in collaboration with instructors, and to develop sponsorships around all programming. Accepted instructors must provide required tax documentation before payments can be processed. Compensation, travel stipend, and reimbursement policies are outlined in the Instructor Agreement.